The Death of Socratesby Jacques-Louis David 1787
(read more about this painting)
Introduction
Socrates (469-399 BC) was one of the most important figures in the history of Western philosophy. He was a strong influence on Plato, whose writings provide most of what we know about Socrates' life and his ideas. Unlike those Greek philosophers who came before him (known collectively as the Pre-Socratics) who were mainly concerned with the natural world and its makeup, Socrates was concerned with ethics--how one should conduct one's life. True to himself and his beliefs until the end, he came to represent the ideal philosopher committed to the admonition "know thyself."
Biography
Details about Socrates' life are sketchy, but it seems he was a lifelong resident of Athens, only leaving to serve abroad in the military. He was married to a woman named Xanthippe and had three sons. It is not clear that he had an occupation besides discussing philosophy in public places. Unlike the Sophists, Socrates never charged a fee for his philosophy "lessons." He doesn't seem to have been concerned with material goods or possessions, preferring to concentrate on philosophical matters.
In 399 BC, Socrates was put on trial, charged with corrupting the youth of Athens with his teachings and with introducing new gods and not respecting the old gods. He failed to convince the jury of his innocence, despite a passionate defense, and was found guilty. The penalty was death. Although he probably could have arranged to be released if he agreed to leave Athens, he chose to accept his punishment and died after drinking hemlock. Plato was 31 years old when Socrates died, and it is in the writings of Plato that Socrates became immortalized for all time.
Major Works
Unlike the other philosophers we are studying, Socrates left behind no writings of his own. The sources for what we know about his philosophy are the dialogues of Plato, the histories of Xenophon, and a comedy (The Clouds) written by Aristophanes.
There is a particular difficulty in dealing with Socrates that has become known as the Socratic problem. The problem is determining what in Plato's writing expresses Socrates' beliefs and philosophy, and what is an expression of Plato's own ideas and philosophy. Many scholars believe that the early dialogues of Plato are more representative of Socrates' beliefs, and the middle and later dialogues start to reflect more of Plato's thought.
Philosophy
With Socrates, the focus of ancient Greek philosophy changed. The Pre-Socratic philosophers had mainly been concerned with the makeup of the natural world, the essential elements found in nature. Socrates was concerned with questions of right conduct, the care of the soul, the moral integrity of the individual.
Socrates employed a method of philosophical investigation that came to be known as the Socratic Dialogue. Typically he would engage someone in conversation asking them questions about a particular quality (justice, virtue, courage). In this questioning, he would often point out the weaknesses and contradictions in the assumptions of the person he was talking with. The purpose was not simply to find fault with the beliefs of others. Rather, it was to try to come to a well-grounded justification of his own convictions. Today, we speak of a method of teaching known as the Socratic method that uses guided questioning to arrive at lessons and conclusions.
Socrates believed that no one willingly does wrong. He believed that virtue is knowledge and that evil is ignorance. A person who took care of his or her soul could not be harmed, either in life or after death.
Philosophy for Socrates was a way of life and constant search for truth. The ultimate goal for humans, according to Socrates, was living a life guided by four important virtues: prudence, courage, piety, and justice.
Quotations attributed to Socrates
The unexamined life is not worth living.
Having the fewest wants, I am nearest to the gods.
I know nothing except the fact of my ignorance.
The only good is knowledge, and the only evil is ignorance.
The Death of Socrates by Jacques-Louis David 1787
(read more about this painting)
Introduction
Socrates (469-399 BC) was one of the most important figures in the history of Western philosophy. He was a strong influence on Plato, whose writings provide most of what we know about Socrates' life and his ideas. Unlike those Greek philosophers who came before him (known collectively as the Pre-Socratics) who were mainly concerned with the natural world and its makeup, Socrates was concerned with ethics--how one should conduct one's life. True to himself and his beliefs until the end, he came to represent the ideal philosopher committed to the admonition "know thyself."
Biography
Details about Socrates' life are sketchy, but it seems he was a lifelong resident of Athens, only leaving to serve abroad in the military. He was married to a woman named Xanthippe and had three sons. It is not clear that he had an occupation besides discussing philosophy in public places. Unlike the Sophists, Socrates never charged a fee for his philosophy "lessons." He doesn't seem to have been concerned with material goods or possessions, preferring to concentrate on philosophical matters.
In 399 BC, Socrates was put on trial, charged with corrupting the youth of Athens with his teachings and with introducing new gods and not respecting the old gods. He failed to convince the jury of his innocence, despite a passionate defense, and was found guilty. The penalty was death. Although he probably could have arranged to be released if he agreed to leave Athens, he chose to accept his punishment and died after drinking hemlock. Plato was 31 years old when Socrates died, and it is in the writings of Plato that Socrates became immortalized for all time.
Major Works
Unlike the other philosophers we are studying, Socrates left behind no writings of his own. The sources for what we know about his philosophy are the dialogues of Plato, the histories of Xenophon, and a comedy (The Clouds) written by Aristophanes.
There is a particular difficulty in dealing with Socrates that has become known as the Socratic problem. The problem is determining what in Plato's writing expresses Socrates' beliefs and philosophy, and what is an expression of Plato's own ideas and philosophy. Many scholars believe that the early dialogues of Plato are more representative of Socrates' beliefs, and the middle and later dialogues start to reflect more of Plato's thought.
Philosophy
With Socrates, the focus of ancient Greek philosophy changed. The Pre-Socratic philosophers had mainly been concerned with the makeup of the natural world, the essential elements found in nature. Socrates was concerned with questions of right conduct, the care of the soul, the moral integrity of the individual.
Socrates employed a method of philosophical investigation that came to be known as the Socratic Dialogue. Typically he would engage someone in conversation asking them questions about a particular quality (justice, virtue, courage). In this questioning, he would often point out the weaknesses and contradictions in the assumptions of the person he was talking with. The purpose was not simply to find fault with the beliefs of others. Rather, it was to try to come to a well-grounded justification of his own convictions. Today, we speak of a method of teaching known as the Socratic method that uses guided questioning to arrive at lessons and conclusions.
Socrates believed that no one willingly does wrong. He believed that virtue is knowledge and that evil is ignorance. A person who took care of his or her soul could not be harmed, either in life or after death.
Philosophy for Socrates was a way of life and constant search for truth. The ultimate goal for humans, according to Socrates, was living a life guided by four important virtues: prudence, courage, piety, and justice.
Quotations attributed to Socrates
Bibliography